As a non-profit, educational institution, the Local History Room relies on the generous support of individuals, businesses, and foundations to operate our facility, fund our programs, and build our museum collections.

You, too, can play an important role in bringing Monroe County's past to life!

Supporting MCLHR Financially

The Local History Room is dedicated to connecting people to the past - through museum exhibits, genealogical resources, and educational programming. Financial support from people like you help make this all possible. The Local History Room uses no county tax dollars for general operations. Everything has to be raised annually through volunteer fund-raising, book sales, and folks just like you with your support dollar!

Your tax deductible contribution to LHR fuels our efforts to collect, preserve and interpret the rich cultural heritage of Monroe County. We will continue to safeguard the history of Monroe County with your annual financial support!

Donations entitle the donor to free annual membership in either organization:
(choose one)

Monroe County Historical Society

Monroe, Juneau, Jackson Counties Genealogy Workshop

Donations of $300.00 or more entitle donor to be named on our Donor Wall Plaque.

Donating Artifacts, papers, and photographs

Have you ever thought that grandmother's quilt belongs in a museum? Maybe it does. Have you ever wished that more people might enjoy the treasured heirloom handed down to you? Do you want piece of mind knowing that someone will care for and enjoy your ancestor's Civil War letters for generations to come? History was not meant to be buried in a basement or hidden in an attic. The past should be shared, not hoarded away.

The historical treasures housed at the Monroe County Local History Room were gifts donated by people like you.

To make an offer of Donation:
If you have a Monroe County item you think might be appropriate for our collections, please contact the County Historian at 608-269-8680 or Email MCLHR@centurytel.net

If you prefer to write please address you letter to:

County Historian
Local History Room
200 West Main St.
Sparta, WI 54656

The Monroe County Historian and Local History Room Board of Trustees must evaluate all items offered to the Local History Room before formally accepting them for our collection. The evaluation process can take up to two months to complete. The more information you are able to provide us on the history of the item, the faster we will be able to complete the evaluation process. Once we decide to add your item to our collection, we will send you a gift agreement to sign and return. This transfers ownership of the item to the Local History Room.

Planned Giving

Contribute to the Monroe County Local History Room's future by planning for a special kind of gift. Although cash contributions to the Local History Room are always appreciated, there are other creative and flexible options that can benefit you and the LHR. You can help ensure the Local History Room's future by creating a trust while you are living or by including the LHR in your will.

One easy way to include the Local History Room in your estate plan is to name the Monroe County Local History Room as a beneficiary of your donor advised fund, retirement plan, IRA, or life insurance policy. Doing so is as simple as filling out a beneficiary designation form from your plan provider or administrator.

To discuss these very special opportunities, contact the Local History Room.